April 9, 2018 ~ The Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Mobile Produce Pantry program is gearing up to expand their services beyond Buffalo County into Phelps County this month. On April 27, 2018, the Mobile Produce Pantry will be providing fresh produce to people in need, free of charge at the Phelps County Ag. Center Exhibit Hall in Holdrege, NE from 9:30am to 11:30am. It is encouraged that people show up early with boxes or bags to carry food as food items are provided on a ‘first-come- first-serve’ basis.

The Mobile Produce Pantry program began in July of 2017 as a way of providing healthy and nutritious food and produce to individuals, families, and communities with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Mid acquires food items such as fresh watermelon,
potatoes, cabbage, and numerous other produce items from our partnership with The Food Bank of the Heartland out of Omaha, NE and then distributes these food items at Mobile Produce Pantries located in a different Buffalo County community twice a month.

While these pantries were only available in Buffalo County for the first nine months of operation, these services are now able to expand to additional counties, including Phelps County and even Kearney County, coming in May of 2018.

Since first established in July of 2017, the Mobile Produce Pantry program has served roughly 5,715 individuals and an estimated 1,762 households. With a total of 17 Mobiles completed, the Mobile Produce Pantry has distributed approximately 99,018 lbs. of food to families and communities in need. These Mobile Produce Pantries have been held in
Kearney, Elm Creek, Amherst, Pleasanton, Ravenna, Gibbon, and Shelton so far.